Breaking Free from the Multiverse: a call for original storytelling (video).
In the ever-evolving realm of films and TV series, muses C.D., we’ve seen trends come and go. Remember the vampire phase? Everyone and their grandma were either a vampire, dating a vampire, or slaying one. But today, we’ve got a new obsession taking center stage – multiverses. Oh yes, those sprawling, complicated, and often mind-boggling universes that seem to sprawl endlessly across our screens. Once upon a time, multiverses were the cool new kids on the block. They offered a fresh take on storytelling, allowing characters to hop from one universe to another faster than you could say “quantum leap.” It was exciting, it was novel, and it was a great excuse to put our beloved characters in the most bizarre scenarios imaginable. Want to see your favorite brooding hero as a tap-dancing Broadway star? Multiverse it!
But, dear readers, as with all good things, it seems the multiverse trend might have overstayed its welcome. What was once a playground for creative storytelling has slowly morphed into a handy-dandy tool for writers to lean on when they run out of ideas. “Stuck on how to continue a storyline? Throw in a multiverse. Need to bring back a character you regretfully killed off? Multiverse to the rescue!” It’s almost as if the once intriguing concept of multiverses has become the narrative equivalent of duct tape – used to patch up any and all story holes, regardless of how it looks.
The charm of multiverses lies in their ability to surprise and intrigue. But when every other show or movie seems to be jumping on the bandwagon, the magic fades. It’s like finding out your favorite secret beach is now overrun with tourists and souvenir shops. Sure, it’s still a beach, but the charm? Vanished.
The problem isn’t just the overuse of multiverses; it’s how they’re used. Instead of being a tool to deepen a narrative or explore complex themes, they often serve as a get-out-of-jail-free card. Major plot issue? No worries, let’s just solve it in another universe! It’s a bit like cheating on a test – sure, you get a good grade, but did you really learn anything?
In defense of writers, coming up with fresh ideas in an industry saturated with content is no small feat. But perhaps it’s time to hang up the multiverse coat for a while and delve back into the treasure trove of storytelling basics. There’s a whole world of unexplored ideas out there that don’t involve hopping between parallel universes. So, to all the filmmakers and scriptwriters out there, how about we give the multiverses a well-deserved break? Let’s find new and inventive ways to challenge our characters, tell compelling stories, and maybe, just maybe, save the multiverse card for when it truly matters. After all, a little multiverse goes a long way…
